What does the Bible say about humility?

The Bible describes humility as meekness, lowliness and absence of
self. The Greek word translated "humility" in Colossians 3:12 and
elsewhere literally means "lowliness of mind," so we see that humility
is a heart attitude, not merely an outward demeanor. One may put on an
outward show of humility but still have a heart full of pride and
arrogance. Jesus said that those who are "poor in spirit" would have
the kingdom of heaven. Being poor in spirit means that only those who
admit to an absolute bankruptcy of spiritual worth will inherit
eternal life. Therefore, humility is a prerequisite for the Christian.

When we come to Christ as sinners, we must come in humility. We
acknowledge that we are paupers and beggars who come with nothing to
offer Him but our sin and our need for salvation. We recognize our
lack of merit and our complete inability to save ourselves. Then when
He offers the grace and mercy of God, we accept it in humble gratitude
and commit our lives to Him and to others. We "die to self" so that we
can live as new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We never
forget that He has exchanged our worthlessness for His infinite worth,
our sin for His righteousness, and the life we now live, we live by
faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us
(Galatians 2:20). That is true humility.

Biblical humility is not only necessary to enter the kingdom, it is
also necessary to be great in the kingdom (Matthew 20:26-27). Here
Jesus is our model. Just as He did not come to be served, but to
serve, so must we commit ourselves to serving others in all lowliness
of mind, always considering others better than ourselves (Philippians
2:3). This attitude precludes selfish ambition, conceit, and the
strife that comes with self-justification and self-defense. The truly
humble does not defend himself when falsely accused or unjustly
treated. He defends the truth, but not his own ego or reputation.
Jesus was not ashamed to humble Himself as a servant (John 13:1-16),
even to death on the cross (Philippians 2:8). In His humility, He was
always obedient to the Father and so should the humble Christian be
willing to put aside all selfishness and submit in obedience to God
and His Word. True humility produces godliness, contentment, and
security.

God has promised to give grace to the humble, while He opposes the
proud (Proverbs 3:34; 1 Peter 5:5). Therefore, we must confess and put
away pride. If we exalt ourselves, we place ourselves in opposition to
God who will, in His grace and for our own good, humble us. But if we
humble ourselves, God gives us more grace and exalts us (Luke 14:11).
Along with Jesus, Paul is also to be our example of humility. In spite
of the great gifts and understanding he had received, Paul saw himself
as the "least of the apostles" and the "chief of sinners" (1 Timothy
1:15; 1 Corinthians 15:9). Like Paul, the truly humble will glory in
the grace of God and in the cross, not in self-righteousness
(Philippians 3:3-9).